Add Ponder to a heap of banged-up passers on the depth chart. Ponder, a fifth-year senior who made his first career start in the 63-10 loss to ULM, practiced on Tuesday morning along with Ryan Griffin and Devin Powell. But Johnson said he took some big hits and is bruised up, making all three scholarship passers experiencing a degree of discomfort.

“Yeah, (Ponder is) banged up,” Johnson said after practice. “I watched the game. We’re not trying to hide it or whatever. The first guy got hurt, the second guy got hurt, DJ’s getting pounded also. We have to do better. My problem is I’d love to run it more, throw three steps and throw a play-action but then you try to win a game and you’re behind.”

Ponder is still listed as the starter for Saturday’s game at Louisiana-Lafayette. Griffin is limited with a shoulder injury that hasn’t been cleared yet. Powell is nursing a hurt toe.

“Griff probably could go depending on (how he is) feeling and how many reps and the doctors," Johnson said. "Powell actually did more than Griffin with the one’s but he limped around noticeably.”

Griffin has 32 starts compared to Ponder and Powell – both of whom made their first career starts in the past two weeks.

Things didn’t go well last Saturday for Ponder, who committed four turnovers against the Warhawks and managed only one touchdown – a late score against reserves.

Tulane did not give details on Griffin’s injury but did say he is projected to be back before the end of the season.

“Everyday, everyday I get a little bit better,” Griffin said Tuesday.

Griffin emphasized that he is not “holding” himself out with an eye on a professional future. He said he is itching to get back on the field and recharge an offense that has stumbled mightily this season.

Ponder described his physical status as “100 percent” and said he is healthy enough to play Saturday. But Johnson said all three passers are battered.

“You just got to keep working. We can’t quit,” he said. “You go through these things and it’s good that it’s early on in the coaching change. It’s my third quarterback now and there’s a litany of other players (injured).”